Typographical machine



July lo, 1928.

G. E. 'MARLATT TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet July 10, 1928.

G. E. MARLATT TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Fil ed Sept. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 6 IM/ENT OR July 10, 192&

, 1,676,959 G. E. MARLATT v TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE Filed Sept. 29, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 10, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

630301;: E. MARLATT, OF PASADENA, cALrFomiIa.

TYPOGRAPHICAL MACHINE.

Application filed September 29, 1925. Serial No. 59,299.

My invention relates to typographical machines, such as linotype machines of the generalorganization represented in Letters Patent No. 436,532, to O; Mergenthaler, wherein circulating matrices are released by escapements from a magazine in the order 1n which their characters are to appear in print,

. and then assembled in line, the composed with a plurality of magazines containing matrices of different font or face, any

Iected one of which fonts may be brought into action at will; i i

p In one class of such machines, (as for instance the U. S. patents, C. Muehleisen, 786,140, March28, 1905, and H. A. Agricola,

Jr., 789,646, of May 9 1 905), the magazines arearrangediriconstant relation to the assembler entrance, having receiving throats leading thereto, and the matrix releasing escapements are actuated" by reeds which e\'- tend through the throats or across the lower ends of the magazines in a single longitudinal row, thus requiring the matrices to pass betweenFclosely adjoining reeds in their travel from the magazines to the assembler enhance; This arrangement of the actuating reeds necessarily restricts the size or thickness of the matrices which can be used in the machine, as the space between the adjoining reeds limited and cannot be increased without objectionably widening the keyboard and magazines,

, Attempts to overcome the above mentioned difficulty have been more or less unsuccessful chiefly in that they involve objectionable forms and complications of matrix escapements, and also the holding "of the terminal matrix back a distance from the discharge end of the magazine and in changing the angle or measurement of the discharge throat immediately adjoining the magazine from that which practice has shown to, be

most desirable. Practice has shown that the best results are obtained if the matrices rest flush with the discharge end. of the magazine and the usual angle. of the, discharge throat developed in connection with the single-magazine type of linotype is approximately maintained.

My present invention involves passing the escapement operating reeds through the receivingthroatsin several longitudinalrows in order that thereeds of each row may be widelysepa-rated and in additionwilloccupy space not traversed by the matrices in machines conforming to established measurements adjacent to the discharge ends of the magazines. Further objects of my invention are: To simplify andimprove upon the keyboard and escapement mechanisms commonly employed; to double the number of fonts of matrices which may be stored. in and released '70 from a magazine; to render a. change from one to another font of matrices a simple and convenient operation. Minor and c0ntributing objects will be disclosed as the descriptlon progresses. I

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown my inventionin preferred form and by way of example and asapplied to a ma chine of the class stated, but not necessarily in preferred form in all circumstances, for so obviously changes and variations may be i made therein and in its mode of application which will still be comprised within its spirit, and .it may be applied to other forms of typographical machines, such as typeset; s5 ters, typecasters, and the like, which handle type or dies other than linotype matrices. Generally speaking, I desire itto be understood that I do not limit myself to any specifie form or embodiment, except in so far as such limitations are specified in the claims.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is an abbreviated side elevation, partly in section, of the front or keyboard portion of a typographical machine as it appears embodying my invention with the key- 5 board mechanism in operativ relation to'the lower magazine. i i

Figure 2 shows the keyboard mechanism in operative relation to the upper magazine.

Figure 3 shows a modification of means for selecting between the upper and lower magazines.

Figure 4 shows a structural detail.

Figure 5 shows modified matrix escapeuient means and structural details.

Figure 6 is a plan view of the keyboard and the upper magazine shown in Fig. 1, including certain connections therebtween,

Figure 7 shows the front end of amagazine with two fonts of matrices arranged in alternate channels thereof. This magazine may be considered either the lower or upper magazine shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 8 is a rear elevation of the parts shown in Fig. l, but not including the upper magazine or the escapement reeds associated therewith. v Figure 9 shows means in a non-powerdriven keyboard for automatically alternating between two magazine channels each of which contains the same matrix-character. Referring to Fig. 1, the lower magazine 1 rests on a portion 10 of the stationary machine frame to which is secured a crosswise member 11 to receive the forward thrust of the magazine. This member 11 is provided with an undercut groove 12 to receive a tongue 13 forming a part of a bar 14: secured longitudinally to the under side of the magazine. This construction renders it necessary to move the magazine rcarwardly a distance sufficient to clear the escapement operating elements 15 before the magazine may be lifted from the machine. The foregoing description applies also to the upper magazine 2 except thatthe crossbar 11 is secured to the top of the lower magazine instead of to the machine frame as in the case of the similar member 11. Q l

The escapements 3 for controlling the release of the matrices l from their magazine channels are similar to and may be precisely the same in action as those described in my copending application Serial No. 546,383. They are pivoted on a rod 5 secured by means of blocks 6 to the top of the magazines. Beneath their pivotal point they enter grooves 7 cut in the top plate of the magazine and serving to space the escape ments a proper distance apart while permitting close spacing between adjoining escapements where necessary. The escape- .ment pawls 8 operate through slots 9 in the magazine top-plale. Locating the escapements on top of instead of beneath the magazines leaves the lower matrix channels continuous so that the matrices pass readily through and from their channels.

It will be noted that the escapementoperating reeds 15 are positioned close to the delivery throat wall 17in order that the branch throats 28 and 30 may be the correct length to properly conduct the matrices to the main throat l8 occupied by the delivery belt As thus positioned the reeds l5 displace certain structures and mechanism commonly attached to the wall 17, or to which said wall is attached, but the manner of sub-grouping the reeds 15 leaves snllicient space between the groups of reeds to attach the usual stru'ture to the wall 17. the method of attaching the bracket 22 of this invention being, an example.

The escapement operating reeds 15 are, for the most part, arranged in transverse groups of three, for each magazine, therefore in a machine having ninety keys there would be thirty transverse rows of three reeds each for each magazine. But the number of reeds in the transverse rows may vary from the numbers given when the magazines are supplied with two fonts of matrices as hereinafter explained and as illustrated by the drawings. ln the drawings thegroups of three reeds are shown in connection with the small letter side of the magazine where space is limited, while in connection with the capitalletter side the reeds are variously positioned so that their upper ends 15 need not be offset an extreme distance to meet and engage associated escapoments. In the case of fonts of small matrices, the magazines are intended to contain two fonts in alternating channels.

Otherwise stated, if the channels were munbered consecutively, the even-1nu11lu-rcd channels would contain one font of: matri 'cs and the odd-numbered channels would contain a second font. For example, a magazine wide enough to accommodate a. single font of 20-point matrices would be wide enough to contain one font of ,S-point and one font of 10-point matrices, and. since one font would be idle while the other was in use, the reeds 15 are made to occupy positions in front of the idle font and are shiftable from one position to another according to the font selected. for use. Vl hen positioned in front of an idle font their cscapcmeat-operating ends 15- are in engagement with the escapen'lcnts controlling the release of matrices from the active font. In addition, the reeds l5 occupy the same planes as the usual partitions 16, which are shiftablo therewith; tl'lerefore, neither the reeds nor the partitions o cupy any space which would be of use in conducting the matrices from the. magazines, l'n'ovidcd the magazines 0011- lain two fonts of matrices. lnFig. 7 two fonts of matrices are shown in their channels, and in Fig. 6 the reeds iii are shown in full lines in engagement with the oscapements controlling the release of the right hand or thinner font, and in broken lines at the right of Fig. (3 the reeds 15 and partitions 16 and 26 are shown shifted to the left with the reeds in engagement with the cscapements controlling thelcl't hand or thicker matrix font. 'lhe reeds and part-illlll tions are rendered thus shiftable as follows: The stationary back wall 17 of the throat 18. is provided with a groove 19 in which rests the lower edge 2fl of the plate forming the floor 21 of a branch 28 of the throat 18. At its. upper end the plate 21 rests on the stationary bracket 22 and is loosely keyed thereto by means of a fiat rod The plate 18 is thus capable of endwise movement in the groove 19, and the extent of its movement is limited by means of a pin 24 and slot 25 (Fig. 8) connection, the slot beiugin the plate 18 and the pin being a continuation of a screw 24 serving to se cure the bracket 22 to the throat wall 17.

Several partitions 26, lying in the planes of the partitions 27' which space apart the upper and lower channel plates of the magazines, serve to interconnect the floor 21 of the lower channel branch 28 and the floor 29 of the upper channel branch 30. Similarly, the channel partitions 16 enter openings 31 and 32 in the upper and lower channel floors respectively and are therefore movable with said floors. The front wall 3510f the throat 18 is hingedly connected by means .of a rod 34 to the partitions16 .for movement therewith, and the escapement-operating reeds 15 pass through suitable openings 35 and 36 in the floors of the branch throats and are movable therewith for placing their upper ends in engagement with a selected set of escapements 3. 'Thus the parts forming the matrix delivery throat as a whole may be moved a slight distance in either direction according to thefont of matrices selected for use and may be readily grasped from the front or keyboard side of the machine and shifted as desired.

The angular endings 15 of the operating reeds are guided in slots 37 formed in a channeled member 37 supported on and shiftable with the delivery throat partitions 1G and 26, the lower channeled member receiving support only from the several partitions 26. The lower wall of the channeled member 37 limits the downward or return movement of the reeds 15 and retains them in position for engagement with the escape mcnts when a magazine is placed or replaced in the machine, the reeds fitting loosely in a notch 3 in the escapements, and

the weight of: the reeds holding the escapements securely when in normal position.

The reed endings may be flattened as at 15 (F 1g. 8) in order to properly engage-the escapements. Since the reeds 15 are Shlftable a fixed distance and the eseapements are variously spaced apart according to the spacing of the matrix channels, the forward ends of the escapements are variously bent as shown in order thateach pair comprised of an idle and active escapement may be equally 3])3Ct3d at their reed-engaging ends regardless oi? the unequal spacing of the matrix channels beneath the escapements. \Vhen the magazines are designed to contain only a single font of. thick matrices the channels may be spaced apart accordingly and the escapements on any particular magazine may be bent according to the spacing of the channels thercbeneath relative to the ends 15 of the reeds.

In Fig. 5 is shown a modification in which the ends 15 of the reeds are bent in line with the path of their movement and form the escapement, the direct connection be tween the keyboard and the escapement point timing the action of the reed 15 with the movement of the matrices so that only one matrix at a time will escape unless more are desired. A normal touch of a keyboard key will release one matrix, and two or more matrices may be released with a single touch according to the length of time a key is held depressed. In quadding out a'line, tor example, the key may be held depressed until the line is full. The ends 15 of the reeds enter between the fore and aft lugs the matrices successively following the release of each terminal matrix from its channel. This form of escapement is well adapted for use where only a single font of martices are contained in a magazine and the magazine is not frequently removed from the machine. When this form of escapement is employed and a magazine is to be lifted from the machine one of several well-known locking means may be used to prevent spillage ot the matrices from. the magazine.

In Fig. 5 is also shown an optional method of guiding the "reeds 15 through the channel floors 21 and 29. In this showing the reeds comprising each group pass through a corn tinuous slot 21 or 2-9 and are separated one :from another by rods 26 supported in the partitions 26. The same slots which guide the reeds 15 may also receive the edge oi the partitions 16.

Two optional methods of selecting between the upper and lower magazines are illustrated in the drawings. The keyboard 38 is preferable similar to that described in my copending application Serial No. 5&6; 383, the key levers 39 terminating in the same horizontal plane. In the present showing they are guided and spaced apart near their terminations in slots 40 tormed in an opened square tube 410 anchored by means of pins 41 to the keyboard end plates 88,

The opening 40 in the member 4L0 permits the upwardly projecting ends of the key levers to engage and actuate the reeds 15 and a rod 42 limits the return movement of the key levers. The parts are so proportioned that when the rod 12 is withdrawn the key levers may be removed from or inserted in their guiding slots 10; Most of the reeds 15 are offset in two directions near their lower ends, one offset bend placing the series it:

lit)

of reeds for each magazine in a longitudinal row at their lower ends and another bend npacing them uniformly apart according to the spacing apart of the key levers 39. The reeds are guided in a shift plate 43 supported on rods d-i extending through the keyboard and is covered by the keyboard tray l5. Individual reeds of a series occupy slots 43 inthe shift plate and the two series of reeds are separated by a rod 43*, a similar rod d3 retaining the outer series in position. This arrangement permits the reeds to be readily removed and replaced for repair or other purposes. The forward edge of the shift plate terminates in a handle 43 and this handle contacts with the keyboard tray to limit the rearward movement of the shift: plate, the forward movement thereof being limited by pins 43. 'hen the shift plate is forward the rear series of reeds (those associated with the lower magazine) are in position to be actuated by the key levers 39. as shown in Fig. 1. and when the shift plate is moved to the rear as shown in Fig. 2 the front. series of reeds (those associa ted with the upper magazine) are in position to be actuated.

The optional method of selecting between the two magazines isshown in Fig. 3 and consists in guiding the reeds 15 in a fixed plate secured to the throat wall 17. and rendering the keyboard as a. whole shi'ftahle in its frame 4-7 in order to place the rear terminations of thckey levers in operative rclation to a selected series of reeds 15. A pin 48 and slot 49 connection determines the extent of movement of the keyboard in its frame.

Individual members of each sub-group of each series of reeds 15 have a slight pivotal movement in the openings 35 and 30 when the plate 43 is shifted, and a continuous opening 21 in the floor 21 of the lower branch throat permits the necessary movement of the reeds associated with the upper magazine when a. shift is made. These openings 2 1" are of sufiicient. length to receive. projections .16 of the partitions it) and 26 as best shown in Fig. 8, and a rod :30 e):- tends through the projections ltl and serves to retain the partitions in place. The openings 21 are of sufficientwidth and the partitions of such length and flexiblity that the endwise movement of the channel floor 21 is not hindered when selecting between two length of the partitions that their lower ends may be caused to approach the matrix delivery belt 53 when a shift is made for a font of thin matrices and move away from the belt when a shift is made for a font of thick matrices, thus regulating the distance between the belt 53 and the ends of: the partitions according to the thickness of the matrices which must pass therebetween. To this end fonts of thick matrices should be arranged in right-hand (even numbered) channels and thin matrices in left-hand (odd numbered) channels of the magazines, which is the reverse of the order shown in Fig. 7.

It is common practice in machines of the linotype class to provide two magazine channels for matrices carrying the letter e, in order that a shortage of this letter will not occur when assembling long lines of small matrices, a device known as the double e attachment being provided for automatically shifting from one to another channel of e matrices at the completion of each line in the assembler (not shown). The device referred to is designed for use with a power-driven keyboard, hence is not applicable to the keyboard herein illustrated. I therefore.provide a special device for this purpose, as illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. The rear termination of the e key lever 39 is forked and embraces a ratchet 54 pivoted for rotation between the fork branches 39". The teeth of the ratchet element are central on the face thereof and at each side of the teeth are four engaging surfaces a and four clearances L, which surfaces and clearances are staggered relative to their occurence on oppositcsides of the ratchet teeth, a clearance 7; on one side of the teeth being opposite an engaging surface a. on the opposite side thereof.

The escapcment-operating reed designated 15 controls the release of matrices from the first 0 channel in the magazines and the reed designated 15 controls their release from the second 0 channel. As the key lever 39" is depressed at its forward end the ratchet 54: rises with the rear end thereof and one of the e. reeds will be cleared through one of the clearamzcs I) while the other e reed will be engaged by one of the engaging surfaces (1, according to the position of these staggered portions as ci'mtrolled by an operating pawl 55. Thus each time the ratchet is turned one tooth a shift. is made from one to the other of the e reeds. This shift occurs incident to the raising of the assembler to deliver the matrix line to casting position, the assembler being raised by means of a handle 56 on a shaft 57 which is connected in usual manner to the assembler. To operate the double e device I secure to the shaft 57 an arm 58 which through a link 59, a swinging arm 60 hung from one of the keyboard fulcrum rods 61 lit) for supporting the link 59,and=the weighted of needs may bear such relation to'the size of the ratchet54 thatthe e reeds of one series will clear the ratchet while those of the other series are under control thereof. The construction of this multiple letterr de+ vice is such as to permit of itsz'use at any point across the width of the keyboard, so that it may be applied for use in connection with characters other than the e, or in whether cont-allied in one or more magazines.

connection with spaces and leaders.

From the foregoing descriptionifiwill be apparent that I haveprovided a typographical assembling mechanism of simple construction in Which the elements are visible and accessible: and which permits aashift from one to another of four fonts of matrices to be readily accomplished from an op erators position at the keyboard. Assuming the matr'icesto be" of the 3*character kind provided for: in my Patent No. 1,310,487; such a machine equipped with two. magazines will supply twelve faces or styles of type and by lengthening thebranch delivery throats to accommodate a third series of reeds a third magazine may be added,-.pro-

viding a capacity for eighteen type faces in: a fi-magazine mach1ne;.or, Whenthreemagazines are employed-the SflIIlB SGI'lBS of reeds which. actuate the escapements on top of the middle magazine maybe employed to actuate escapements onthe bottom of the. top

magazine, or the escapements on top of the middlemagazine may actuatethose on the bottom of the topmagazine provided the matrices are locked against spillage and'free' of their'escapementson the idle magazine.

Where a third branch throat is added I prefen theforevvardly curved form thereof illnstrated as the upper delivery throat in my Patents Nos. 1,266,970 and 1,366,578;

also, where the escapements of a middle magazineare made to operate those beneath a top magazine, I prefer the form of escapement illustrated" in said patents for the reason that their forward ends operate in the same direction asthe forward endsof the escape merits of this invention and which 1 couldbemade to operatethe escapements of theupper magazine, but the shift from one to another magazine would not then be so convenient as that herein described; It may be noted also that the means herein described for shifting from one to another .font of matrices in a single magazine would also serve for shifting from one to another magazine each containing a single font of matrices. In such case a single series of reeds could be employed if each reed were provided with upper and lower escapement-opcrating angles 15; or, the two series of reeds could be employed and made to terminate in a single row orotherwise at their lower ends and either the reeds or the keyboard key-levers rendered relatively shiftable lengthwise of thekeyboard in order to place alternatereeds in operative relation to the key levers. Also, the magazines could be rendered shi-ftable edgewise relative to the escapement-operating reeds of this invention for selecting between fonts of matrices For fonts of thick matrices the alternations of thechannels could occur with one set of channels in one magazineand theother' set thereof in staggered relation thereto in the' other magazine, or the channels could be one above the other and the escapementends or operating reeds differently offset accordinglyso that only oneset of escapements at a time would be operative. It Willbe-understood that the broader claims hereto append edare intended to embraceany such obvious modifications as those above suggested.

Having thus described my invention and its mode of operation, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is: r i 1. In a typographical machine having magazines containing fonts of matrices ar-' ranged'in channels irregularly spaced apart according to the thickness of the matrices in individual channels, two fonts of matrices arranged: in alternating channels of said magazines, two corresponding sets of escapements irregularly spaced apart according to the'spacing of saidchannels, actuating devices forsaid escapements, and means for selectively connecting said actuating devices with one or the other of said scts'of escape-- apart thereof, said means consisting in bending portions of said escapements so that all pairs of alternating escapements will be" equally spaced at the point Where they are engaged by the said 'escapement-actuating. devices e 2. In a typographicalmachine having. a magazine containing two'fonts of matrices arranged in alternating channels therein for selective use according to font, two. corre--' spondingly alternating sets of escapements above said magazine for controlling the release of individual matrices therefrom, a

ments regardless of the irregular spacing single set of devices for actuating said two sets of escapements, a channel through which said matrices travel when released from said magazine and through which said escapen'ient-actuati11g devices extend to engagement with the escapements above said magazine, and means for moving said escapement actuating devices in either direction relative to alternating channels in said magazine so that they may be positioned in a non-interfering relation in front of an idle font of matrices when an active font of matrices is associated with said escapement actuating devices for release from their magazine.

3. In a typographical machine having a magazine containing two fonts of matrices arranged in alternating channels therein for selective use according to font and having means for releasing individual matrices of a selected font from their channels, a channeled throat for conducting the matrices from their channels, partitions separating the channels of said throat, and means for moving said partitions in either direction relative to alternating channels in said magazine in order that they may occupy noninterfering ositions in front of idle magazine channes While relatively alternating channels are active.

1. A combination as specified in claim 3 characterized by the fact that the means therein recited for releasing the matrices from theirmagazine channels are reeds occupying positions in the planes of the said channel partitions and are movable therewith to non-interfering positions relative to the path of said matrices through said throat.

5. In a typographical machine having a magazine containing fonts of matrices arranged in alternating channels therein for selective use according to font, escapements above said magazine for releasing matrices therefrom, a uchanneled and partitioned throat through which said matrices travel when released from their channels, a series of escapement-operating reeds extending through said throat to engagement with said escapements above said magazine and arranged in sub-groups ofsaid series in the planes of the partitions separating the channels of said throat, and means for moving said throat, said reeds and said partitions as a unit in either direction relative to pairs of said alternating magazine channels in order that said reeds and said partitions will occupy positions in front of idle magazine channels and will not interfere with the travel of the matrices through said throat when released from active channels of said magazine. i

6. A combination and structure as specified in claim 5, including also a second magazine above said recited magazine, a

positions relative to the path of travel of the matrices through said second throat.

7. In a typographical machine, in combination, a magazine having a series of closclyspaced-apart channels for conducting matrices therethrough and permitting of their individual release therefrom, correspondingly spaced-apart fulcrumed escapements for controlling the release of matrices from said channels, and non-interfering means for retaining said escapementsin their spacedapart positions, said means being a series of grooves formed in a channel plate of said magazine adjacent the fulcrum points of said escapements and each entered by a portion of a related escapement to prevent its displacement from operative relation to a related magazine channel.

8. In a typographical machine, in combination, superposed magazines containing matrices capablie ofindividual release therefrom, a separate series of reeds associated with each of said magazines for controlling the release of matrices therefrom, a keyboard having key levers for actuating said reeds, a structure permitting but one at a time of said separate series of reeds to occupy direct operative position relative to said key levers, and means for shiftin one or anotherof said series of reeds to direct operative relation to said key levers when an associated magazine is selected for use.

9. A combination as specified in claim 8,

including also a keyboard tray and characterized by the fact that the means therein recited for shifting said series of reeds to operativeposition selectivelyis a plate underlying said tray and serving as a guide for said reeds at the rear of said keyboard andterminating in a handle at the front of said keyboard.

10. In a typographical machine, in com bination, a magazine having matrices there in, cscapements on top of said magazine for releasing the matrices therefrom, escape ment-operating elements overlying the front end of said magazine and separate therefrom, and a structure compelling the rear ward movement of said magazine so as to clear said escapement-operating elements preliminary to removing said magazine from its support; a

11.111 a typographical machine, in com bination, magazines containing fonts of thick matrices and fonts of thin matrices. a de livery belt for conveying said matrices to riees passing between said belt and the ends of said partitions. I l

Signed at Pasadena, Los Angeles County, 10 California, this 22nd day of September, 1925.

GEORGE E. MARLATT. 

